The Ministry of Education has issued new directives affecting schools across Kenya as the country enters a crucial period of the 2026 academic calendar. The latest measures focus largely on controlling school activities during the third term, particularly as learners and teachers prepare for national assessments and examinations scheduled for October and November.

The directives are designed to ensure that schools concentrate on teaching, revision, candidate preparation and the administration of national examinations without unnecessary interruptions. The Ministry says the measures are aimed at minimising disruptions and reducing excessive external engagement with schools during the examination period. 

The new rules were contained in a circular dated September 3, 2026, issued by Basic Education Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa. The circular comes at a time when schools have begun their third term, with the 2026 national examination season approaching.

Regulation of school activities

One of the most significant changes concerns the organisation of school events during the third term.

The Ministry has directed schools to avoid holding activities that could interfere with academic preparation and examination administration. These include Annual General Meetings, prize-giving ceremonies, thanksgiving events and dedicated prayer days for candidates.

According to the directive, schools should organise their Annual General Meetings during the first or second term, rather than waiting until the third term. Similarly, prize-giving ceremonies, thanksgiving events and dedicated candidate prayer days are expected to take place during the second term. 

The decision is particularly important because the third term is traditionally a highly demanding period for candidates. Schools have limited time to complete academic programmes, conduct revision and prepare learners for national assessments.

By moving non-academic activities to earlier terms, the Ministry hopes schools will have fewer interruptions during the final weeks before examinations.

Restrictions on candidate prayer days

Another major aspect of the new rules concerns prayer sessions involving candidates.

The Ministry has directed that dedicated prayer days involving parents, visitors and other people from outside schools will not be permitted during the examination period. This means schools cannot organise large gatherings where parents, religious leaders or other external visitors come into institutions specifically to pray with candidates during the restricted period. 

However, the directive does not mean that schools have been prohibited from conducting ordinary religious activities.

Regular worship sessions conducted internally by school chaplains and teachers may continue. This distinction is important because the Ministry is primarily concerned with large external gatherings and activities that could disrupt the examination environment.

The restrictions are therefore intended to protect candidates from unnecessary movements, crowds and distractions rather than to prevent normal school-based religious activities.

Why the Ministry has introduced the measures

The main reason behind the new directives is the approaching national examination period.

Kenya's education system is currently managing several assessments and examinations under the country's competency-based education framework. At the same time, the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education remains a major national examination for secondary school candidates.

The Ministry wants schools to provide candidates with a stable environment during this period. National examinations require significant coordination involving schools, teachers, examination officials, security agencies, education officers, parents and learners.

Large school events can require teachers and administrators to spend considerable time on organisation. They can also bring many visitors into school compounds.

The Ministry therefore believes that reducing such activities will allow school management and teachers to concentrate on academic and examination-related responsibilities.

The importance of uninterrupted preparation

The third term is particularly important for examination classes.

Candidates preparing for national examinations often need additional revision, consultations with teachers, practice tests and completion of outstanding parts of the syllabus. Even relatively short interruptions can affect the amount of time available for revision.

For this reason, the Ministry's latest directive places academic preparation at the centre of school operations during the examination season.

Schools are expected to ensure that teachers remain focused on classroom instruction and examination preparation. School administrators must also ensure that learners remain in an environment conducive to studying.

The new rules therefore reinforce the idea that third term should be treated as a highly focused academic period.

Annual General Meetings moved from third term

Annual General Meetings are another area affected by the directive.

The Ministry has instructed schools to hold AGMs during the first or second term instead of the third term.

AGMs are important because they provide opportunities for parents, school boards, administrators and other stakeholders to discuss school management, finances, academic performance and development projects.

However, holding such meetings during the final term can interfere with examination preparation. Moving them earlier in the year allows schools to maintain stakeholder participation while protecting the final academic period.

This means school management committees and parents will need to plan their meetings well in advance.

Prize-giving ceremonies and thanksgiving events

Prize-giving ceremonies are popular in many Kenyan schools because they recognise learners who have performed well academically, in sports, music, leadership and other activities.

However, the Ministry has directed schools to hold such ceremonies in the second term rather than the third term. Thanksgiving events have also been included in the directive. 

The objective is not to eliminate recognition of learners but to ensure that these activities do not interfere with examination preparation.

Schools will therefore have to adjust their annual calendars and organise celebrations earlier.

For parents and students, this may represent a significant change because many schools traditionally organise major events towards the end of the academic year.

Impact on parents

The new rules will also affect parents.

Parents who normally attend candidate prayer days, prize-giving ceremonies and other third-term events will need to adjust their plans. In particular, parents will not be allowed to participate in dedicated candidate prayer sessions during the examination period where the Ministry's restrictions apply.

Parents will nevertheless continue to play an important role in supporting learners from home.

They can help candidates by providing a suitable environment for revision, ensuring that learners attend school consistently, supporting their nutritional needs and encouraging them to remain focused on their studies.

The restrictions should therefore not be interpreted as reducing parental involvement in education. Instead, they are intended to regulate physical activities within schools during a sensitive period.

Education officers affected by new directive

The Ministry has also introduced a measure affecting education officers.

According to reports on the circular, annual leave for education officers has been cancelled during the national assessment and examination period. 

This reflects the importance of the examination season to the education system.

Education officers are involved in monitoring schools, supporting examination administration and ensuring that Ministry directives are implemented. Keeping them available during the examination period is intended to strengthen supervision and ensure that challenges can be addressed quickly.

The move also demonstrates that the Ministry expects education officials at different levels to remain actively involved throughout the examination period.

Responsibilities of schools

School heads will have an important role in implementing the new directives.

They are expected to reorganise school calendars and ensure that activities comply with Ministry instructions. School management must also communicate the changes clearly to teachers, parents, students and other stakeholders.

Schools that had planned third-term AGMs, prayer days or prize-giving ceremonies may have to cancel, postpone or move them to an appropriate period.

The directive also requires education authorities to monitor compliance. Regional, county and sub-county education officials have been directed to ensure that schools under their jurisdiction follow the new measures. 

2026 examination season

The new restrictions come shortly before an important examination period.

The 2026 KCSE examination is scheduled for October 19 to November 20, while several national assessments, including KPSEA and other assessments, are scheduled around the same period. Reports indicate that KPSEA will run from October 26 to October 29, while other assessments are also scheduled between October 26 and 30.

This explains why the Ministry has become stricter about school activities.

The examination period involves thousands of schools and large numbers of learners across the country. Any disruption can complicate examination administration and affect candidates.

Possible benefits of the new rules

The directives could have several positive effects.

First, they could give candidates more uninterrupted study time. Learners preparing for examinations will have fewer school events competing for their attention.

Second, teachers may have more time to complete revision programmes and support candidates.

Third, school administrators will be able to concentrate on examination preparation rather than organising major social events.

Fourth, limiting external visitors during examinations could strengthen the security and confidentiality surrounding national assessments.

Finally, the changes could encourage schools to plan their annual calendars more effectively.

Concerns that may arise

Despite the potential benefits, the new rules could also raise questions among parents, teachers and school administrators.

Some schools may already have invested money and resources in preparing for third-term events. Moving such activities could create logistical and financial challenges.

Parents may also be disappointed if they had planned to attend candidate prayer days or other school functions.

There could also be concerns about how schools will interpret the difference between prohibited external events and permitted internal activities.

For this reason, clear communication from school administrators and education officials will be important.

A broader move toward better school management

The latest directive should also be viewed within the Ministry's wider responsibility for establishing standards and policies in Kenya's education sector. The Ministry is responsible for formulating and implementing education policies, standards, curricula and examinations. 

Kenya's education sector has been undergoing significant reforms, including the continued implementation of competency-based education and changes affecting junior and senior secondary education.

The Ministry's existing strategic plan also identifies the development and review of policies covering areas such as education standards, school infrastructure, student accommodation, discipline and school meals. 

The latest third-term directive is therefore part of a broader effort to improve organisation, quality assurance and management within the education system.

What students should expect

For students, especially examination candidates, the new rules are likely to mean a stronger focus on academics during the final term.

Learners should expect schools to dedicate more time to revision, assessments, examination preparation and academic support.

Candidates should use this period effectively by attending classes, completing assignments, revising consistently and seeking assistance from teachers where necessary.

They should also avoid unnecessary distractions and take advantage of available study time.

What parents should do

Parents can support the new measures by understanding why schools are restricting certain activities.

Instead of expecting frequent school events during the third term, parents should focus on supporting their children academically and emotionally.

They should communicate regularly with teachers and school administrators where necessary and ensure that candidates have the resources required for revision.

Parents should also avoid attempting to organise unauthorised gatherings within schools during the examination period.

Conclusion

The Education Ministry's new rules represent a significant tightening of school activities during the third term and the 2026 national assessment and examination period.

The central message is clear: schools are expected to prioritise learning, revision and examination administration during this critical period.

Annual General Meetings are to be organised during the first or second term, while prize-giving ceremonies, thanksgiving events and dedicated candidate prayer days are to be moved to the second term. External prayer sessions involving parents and visitors will not be permitted for candidates during the examination period, although normal internal worship activities conducted by school chaplains and teachers may continue. 

The Ministry has also cancelled annual leave for education officers during the national assessment and examination period, signalling the government's determination to maintain close supervision of the education system at this important time.

Ultimately, the success of the new measures will depend on cooperation between the Ministry, education officers, school administrators, teachers, parents and learners. If properly implemented, the directives could help create a quieter and more focused environment for candidates as Kenya approaches the 2026 national examination season.